Hello,

I've been using mySQL for a while, but now I need to use FileMaker Pro 6.0 for a project on Mac OS X server, and I'm pretty confused on the best way to access FileMaker from the web. I need to be able to enter data from the web site into FM, display from FM to the web site...etc. That's really easy to do with Perl, however, I hear that MacPerl isn't compatible with FM because it doesn't work with DBI. Is that true?

I know that I can use one of several templates provided by FM to do what I need, but is there another way to access it from the web with a language like Perl? I want to have flexibility in the way i design the page.

Also, how would FM handle web site authentication?

Thanks a lot.

Eugene

You can use Blueworld Lasso, JSP with jdbc or Tango

Or use CDML which is in FM webcompanion. WebCompanion is web server for FM databases.

You can even use PHP.

Good Luck.

Garry

Hi, Eugene! The difference between Olivier and Anatoli's suggestions is how much you want to do and how much you can afford in both time and money. Serving with FMP's built-in Web Companion will let you do most basic functions (web forms, data entry, searches, mail, etc.) for free. Custom Web Publishing should be easy for someone with programming experience and basic HTML skills. JavaScript experience is not needed but will let you do more. Someone with no programming experience who wants to publish right away will use Instant Web Publishing which requires no coding.

CDML (even with JavaScript) is limited, however, so if you need the power of a full scripting language, you'll have to go with something like Lasso. I've never heard of anyone working with PERL, but some have used PHP (but I think it requires add'l software; check the posts for PHP).

I have no idea what you're doing, but my guess is that you won't be happy with CDML and FMP's Web Security Database system for authentication/access if you're doing anything complex... even though that's what I (and probably most other users of this forum) use. You can use FMP Unlimited's Web Server Connector if you want to serve your pages with Apache instead.

Good luck w/the research!

--ST

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. After some research, I think I'll try using PHP. There is a cool open source module, FX.php, available for free at www.iviking.org. It uses XML to communicate with FM web companion, and should make things pretty easy, at least I hope so.